Overall health

Ann Generlich outlines the relationship between oral malodour, dental plaque biofilms, caries, gingivitis and periodontitis.

Whilst both periodontal disease and tooth decay are associated with bacterial plaque, international researchers have known for some years that volatile sulphur compounds (VSC) are linked to cause periodontal disease. The two main sources of VSC have been identified as the tongue and the gingival tissues. VSC such as hydrogen sulphide, methyl mercaptan and dimethyl sulphide break down the resistant barrier of the periodontium. As the severity of the periodontal breakdown increases so too does the presence of VSC. Oral malodour is often considered to be a cosmetic problem, but there is increasing scientific evidence to show that its causes are linked to the development of periodontitis.

The late eminent US periodontist, Prof Ratcliff maintained that the causes of periodontal disease are a combination of many processes, including activation of the immune system, alterations in connective gingival tissue metabolism, production of proteinases and cytokines and the destruction of host tissue by bacterial enzymes along with a multitude of other factors.